REVIEW: Canon EOS-M Mirrorless Camera

I bought one of these a while ago, and have been meaning to make a review.  So without further delay, here it is.

I originally bought this to use on vacations and to keep on my person at almost all times for when I wanted to snap a photo, or even use it as a b-cam.  Here’s my retrospect thoughts on it.

This is the kit I got:
EOS-M Body
22mm f/2 STM lens
18-55 f/3.5-5.6 lens
EOS-M to EF adapter
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approximately $660 before tax for all the above (plus peripherals like batteries and straps), purchased from B&H on sale prices.

This thing takes GREAT photos.  My buddy and I went out one day to take some photos, but my other DSLR cameras were either rigged up for a shoot or out on another job, so I decided to use this.  Being able to take photos RAW is wonderful.  Here are a few photos.  I think for the most part I used the 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 on this, because the sun was out and I didn’t really need the speed.

So the first two photos, I used a flash to backlight the bike and to fill the right of the subject in the second photo.  The last one is all natural light.  Obviously I’ve edited these photos, but this is just to show what can be done.

In terms of size, this thing is way too small, yet not quite small enough for me to slip into my pocket.  So that kind of sucks.  This feels like it should be heavier and bigger when you’re using it, and because of this, it has somewhat become my girlfriend’s camera now.

There is no VF for this, no loupe.  And your natural instinct is to raise the camera to your eye, at least with a DSLR it is.  So it was awkward at first to not have to do that, and I even still do that sometimes.

The touch screen is pretty intuitive, but if you leave “touch to take photo” on, you’ll have a ton of photos of darkness or nothing.

In addition to having no loupe, if you’re shooting in the sun, or you have a glare, you’re kind of screwed to see what you’re framing.  You’ll have to bust out your light meter and do it old school to see if your exposure is right, or run under some shade to review.

When I put my L series EF lenses on this thing, it just looks ridiculous, and you might as well carry around a proper DSLR instead.

In terms of video, it’s probably pretty good.  I haven’t properly tested it yet.  I’d assume that if you’re doing any handheld work, you’d be screwed because it’s so light that your shots would be so shaky and unusable.

It does have a silent auto focus system that works with the STM lenses, it’s pretty good if the subject isn’t moving too fast.  One thing that this camera is probably wonderful for in the film side is that it’s so small, you can almost put it anywhere – and it’ll match up with any footage you shoot with a 5D3, as long as you know what you’re doing.  I was recently shooting an event and I wish I had brought this camera to it to place in certain spots.

PROS:

• small – able to place it almost anywhere
• great quality – shoots raw photos
• STM autofocus video
• Can be matched up with a 5D3 and others.

CONS:

• Too small for my hands, yet too big to fit into pocket (good for purses though!)
• not enough lens selection (yet)
• no loupe/VF
• slower to adjust settings than on a regular DSLR
• OEM battery is only 875mAh

SUMMARY:
On the professional level: If you’re deciding on getting this or a full-sized DSLR – get the DSLR.  If you’re considering getting this for a b-cam, get a DSLR.  Unless you need this camera for specific shots or angles, the DSLR’s that are comparable are probably around the same price, and you’ll already have lenses for it.

On the amateur/vacation level: I’ve still yet to take this on vacation, and I’m still excited to bring it.  I’d probably bring my 17-55 f/2.8 EF-S and the 22 f/2 EF-M lens with me.  I think I already know the answer to when I go on vacation though.  I’d probably would have rather brought a full-sized DSLR.

EDIT:
My girlfriend has her input on why she (a non-professional female) likes this camera – and I copied and pasted directly from the message she sent me lol.

• I can make adjustments to the setting (you know the ones i know lol) and see the changes on the screen. i don’t have to go through a that menu thing.. which i still don’t how to get to.. lol
• My littler hands don’t mind the size (although i still touch the touch screen when it’s on and sometimes go to a setting instead of take a pic)
• My arms don’t get tired of carrying the camera… like it did when i took pic for the baby shower with your dslr.. i know you say it’s ’cause i don’t know how to hold the dslr properly at rest, but that’s your pro camera holder opinion.
• Using the touch screen to focus is (a)fun (b)super easy.. i guess the latter really applies to amateurs.. once i knew it existed i was able to use that to focus instead of trying to focus using the button thingy on top.. which too often focused on objects i didn’t want it to.